TILSE explains their evolution of superyacht glass

Yachting Pages recently spoke to Mr Tilse, managing director of TILSE GmbH to find out more about the company’s exciting developments in switchable, bulletproof and fire protection glass including their latest patent for a compound glass system.

TILSE GmbH was founded in 1974 and started to place yacht glazing products on the market in 1985. At that time TILSE was contacted by a German yacht builder to supply conically bent corner windows, which couldn’t be supplied by the mainstream glass industry, other than as Perspex glazing.

From this day, TILSE has developed various quality standards and materials for the glazing industry in order to meet the extreme demands of superyachts regarding optic, surface, compound, UV-resistance, yellowing and ageing technologies.

Within the last 25 years, designers, owners and classification societies have increased their requirements, especially surrounding the installation of frameless windows. TILSE’s own resin compound allows a weight reduction without neglecting yachting regulations and demands. In addition, the resin absorbs the dangerous UV light and protects the yacht’s interior from bleaching.

When Yachting Pages asked about the company’s latest developments, Mr Tilse said, “Our latest patent is a compound glass system used as safety glazing for deadlight-free hull windows. Thus the yacht saves weight, as no deadlights have to be fixed or carried in bulk. We have received the classification certification from Lloyd’s and the Cayman Islands. At present we are working on fire protection glass, which meets the requirements of PYC and FTP code.”

Continually developing their product range, TILSE has recently been working on improving switchable glass, bulletproof glazing and fire protection glass. 

With a large number of confidential clientele from around the world, TILSE is highly experienced with the demands of designers, owners and shipyards. They are used to working closely together during the project to set out the demands and feasibility of the glazing.

Mr Tilse explained, “Designers and owners request even bigger glass surfaces for their new yacht projects. We have to meet their design for large-area glazing and at the same time have to deal with weight saving. Especially as bent glazing becomes more and more complicated.”

When asked who their dream client would be, Mr Tilse commented, “Every client is a dream client as every project starts from zero. The glazing we supply is always individually made to the client’s demand. The yacht’s glazing can be described as being the yacht’s eyes, giving the yacht a soul – like looking into the beautiful eyes of a woman.”

To find out more about TILSE and view their sophisticated glass products up close, the team will be at SMM Hamburg (9^th to 12^th September 2014), the Monaco Yacht Show (24^th to 27^th September 2014) and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (30^th October to 3^rd November 2014).

For more information, please visit TILSE GmbH.